Emphasis Preaching Journal

Aaron Copeland's "Appalachian Spring" was scored as a ballet, especially for the renowned Martha Graham. Ballet is sometimes called "The Dance." It is intended to theatrically describe, through the use of body motion, the evente of life. "The Dance" of life, as Christians know it, reaches its climactic celebration in the resurrection of Jesus the Christ. Toward the end of Copeland's suite there are five variations on a theme. The melody was appropriated by Copeland from a collection of Shaker hymns.